The research “Policing, COVID-19 and people who use drugs: surviving the police in Cracolândia” examines the impacts of policing practices on the lives of people who use drugs in the Cracolândia region during the COVID-19 pandemic, from a human rights perspective. The study shows how the intensification of police actions, combined with the lack of public policies focused on care and social protection, exacerbated situations of violence, vulnerability, and human rights violations, directly affecting health and survival conditions.
The publication highlights Harm Reduction as a key strategy for care and survival in contexts shaped by criminalization, stigma, and institutional violence. Drawing on data, testimonies, and analyses from É de Lei’s fieldwork, the research contributes to public debate on drug policy, public security, and health, emphasizing the urgency of approaches that prioritize care, listening, and the protection of rights rather than repression.